Zoveri

Zoveri dwell in the endless sea of the first layer of the heavenly mountain. Like aquatic centaurs, they are humanoid above the waist and octopus below, tentacles and all. Their upper bodies are fair, delicate and elf-like, and they are strikingly beautiful. They speak the languages of all good creatures.

Holding all life sacred, zoveri hate fighting and seldom carry their long metal spears unless expecting trouble. Forced to fight, they thrust for 1-6, or above water throw them at javelin range, and their lack of practice gives -1 on all attack rolls.

When escape is possible, a zoveri can dart away underwater, dropping whatever it holds, moving at 36 for two rounds with a 70% chance of finding a hiding place. It also has a set of spell-like powers, usable at will one per round at 10th level unless noted otherwise. Twice a day it can take elf form and walk on land, which these playful beings love to do for long stretches, though they always return to the sea.

Four zoveri together can join hands in a circle and, swimming an intricate pattern while singing ancient summoning songs, call a 16 HD water elemental, with a cumulative 10% chance per round of swimming. The elemental always answers, honoring a pact made millennia ago.

Kindness is what zoveri are famous for. They help any being in need without hesitation; if it is evil, they help and then dispel it back home. Every newcomer to the heavenly mountain arrives first in this vast ocean layer, often unready, and any visitor floundering in the water is rescued by a zoveri within 1-3 rounds.

Driven by their inner ethics, zoveri are, quite literally, that sea's lifeguards. Why the lawful good powers' home has such a perilous entrance is a mystery, but without them it would drown many unprepared travelers.